Mothod of betting in poker or like games

ABSTRACT

A method of playing virtually any of the numerous variations of a limit betting poker-type card game with a conventional deck of cards allowing for a limited or fixed amount of money to be bet on all betting hand rounds except for the last betting round (the river card round) where the last bet can be a no-limit bet where a player can bet all the money he/she has on the table to bet.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

NONE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to any limit betting poker-type game, and, more particularly, to allow for limit betting on all rounds of betting except for the last round of betting, (after receiving the last card or river card) to be a no-limit bet where a player can bet all the money he/she has on the table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A limit betting poker game sets a maximum amount of money a player can bet or lose in any given poker hand. A no-limit betting poker game allows no such limit bet but allows a player at any time to bet the total amount of money he/she has on the table. Many limit betting poker players would like to play, or see more cards to improve his/her hand, but are intimidated by the other players who bet “all-in” with all their money, this being called making a no-limit bet. For example in the game of Texas Hold'em, a player may have a King-Queen of hearts as his/her two down cards, and, if the bet was just a small or limit bet, he/she would continue to play in the hand to see the first three community cards, called the flop. They would also be more inclined to see the last two community cards, called the turn card and the river card. But, if a player before or after him in the hand goes all-in with his money (making a large or no-limit bet) this player with the King-Queen of hearts would probably throw his/her hand away rather than risking all their money (chips) or, if this is a tournament, risk being knocked out of a tournament if the hand is lost. The problem with this early all-in no-limit poker bet is that it eliminates players in the hand and more than often creates smaller pots. Early no-limit betting allows players to power play money rather than cards. If the betting structure was changed to only allow all-in or no-limit bets on the last card, or river card, there would be more players in the game trying to improve good starting hands and there would be more money in the pot, thus creating a poker game with greater player action and more excitement.

I searched over 1,000 patented poker or poker related games and did not find any that combined limit and no-limit betting in a single poker game or poker hand. I also found no published poker related book which incorporated the limit & no-limit betting structure in a single poker hand or game.

It is therefore an object of the invention to generate a larger number of players in each poker hand.

It is another object of the invention to generate larger money poker pots a player can win.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an opportunity in any limit betting poker game with multiple betting rounds for each poker player to place a limit bet on each betting round to see more cards to improve his/her poker hand and to continue to make limit bets until the last betting round (after receiving the last card, or river card), at which time he/she can make a no-limit bet by betting up to all the money he/she has in front of them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diagram showing a sequence of card playing using Texas Hold'em as an example and betting according to the invention.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a diagram that explains how the game of the present invention is played. The diagram shows 8 different events taking place sequentially during the course of the game. The diagram presupposes five players, although the game can be played different numbers of players, up to about ten players.

The diagram uses the poker game of Texas Hold'em as an example to show the sequence of limit betting and the final element of a no-limit bet. Event 1 10 shows each player receiving two down cards. Event 2 12 is the first limit bet by each player who wishes to continue playing after seeing his/her two down cards. Event 3 14 is the flop, or three community face-up cards which all players can use to make their best poker hand. Event 4 16 is the second limit betting round. Event 5 18 is the turn card or another face-up community card which each player can use. Event 6 20 is the third limit betting round. Event 7 22 is the last community card, called the river card. Event 8 24 is the last betting round which is now a no-limit betting round, meaning a player can bet as much money as they have left on the table.

This invention relates to poker games played with conventional playing cards, i.e. a single deck of cards that includes four suits (spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds) totaling fifty two cards per deck or may contain a joker as in low ball or Mexican Poker ( Mexican Poker contains 41 cards including a joker). The invention concerns the manner in which a player bets in each betting round.

Most all casinos in America, and throughout the world, offer the following forms of limit betting poker games. Limit betting means a fixed or maximum amount of money can only be bet at any one time, for example, five or ten dollars per bet or what can be raised in a single betting round.

Draw Poker

Texas Hold'Em

Texas Hold'Em Hi/Low 8 or better

5 Card Stud

7 Card Stud

7 Card Stud Hi/Low 8 or better

Omaha High

Omaha Hi/Low 8 or better

Low Ball

Razz

Mexican Poker

Crazy Pineapple

Poker Tournaments

Each of the above games follows the basic rules of poker and the ranking of poker hands that have been in the public domain for many years. (except Mexican poker where a flush beats a full-house (because there are no 8s, 9s, & 10s in the deck) The above limit betting games that are played in today's card rooms and casinos have a specific betting structure with money limits on each round of betting, including the last betting round, called the river card, or last card dealt to each player.

This patent calls its method of betting any poker game “RIVER NO-LIMIT” POKER GAMES, which includes the above casino games, by modifying these limit betting games by replacing the limit bet on the last round of betting (the river) with an optional no-limit bet. The last card dealt in a poker hand is referred to as the river card and this initiates the last round of betting. This means that on the last betting round (the river card round), a player is not limited to a fixed amount of money, but may bet as much money as he/she has in front of them. This is known as a no-limit bet. All previous betting rounds prior to the last betting round, or river card round, are still limit betting rounds. A benefit of this mix of limit and no-limit betting is an increase in poker action and larger money pots. In a pure no-limit game many players are intimidated by the all in bet and will drop out of the play even if they have a strong poker hand. Leaving the powerful no-limit bet to the end, or after the river card, will allow players to play (chase) cards hoping to make a good poker hand thus creating larger money pots with more active players and greater poker game excitement.

Following are the basic rules of play for these various limit poker games incorporating the “RIVER NO-LIMIT” POKER GAMES modification allowing for a no-limit bet on the last round of betting.

“River No-Limit” Texas Hold'Em

River No-Limit Texas Hold'Em is a poker game where each player receives two down cards as his initial hand. Action starts after one or two blinds are posted by the players at the left of the dealer button. There is a fixed limit round of betting after these cards have been dealt. Then three board cards are turned face up simultaneously which is called “the flop”) and are community cards available to all players to use to make their best poker hand. Another fixed limit round of betting takes place. There are three raises allowed in any limit betting round. The next board card is turned over (called the turn card) calling for another fixed limit bet. After the final card (the river card) is turned over limit betting is replaced with the option of a no-limit bet. Players may bet as much money as they have in front of them on the last round. A player may use any combination of five cards (one in his hand, four from the board, etc.) to determine his best poker hand. A player may use all of the cards on the board for a poker hand, this is called “playing the board”.

Texas Hold'Em is sometimes played High-Low Split, 8-or-better. This means any five cards ranging from an ace through eight qualifies as a low hand and can win a portion of the pot. If there is no low hand the high poker hand wins the total pot. You may use any combination of one or two hole cards and three or four of the board cards for your high poker hand and another (or the same) combination of one or two hole cards and three or four board cards for your low hand. As in regular Texas Hold'Em, the limit betting structure is the same except the last betting round (the river) has the option of a no-limit bet. There are three raises allowed in any limit betting round.

“River No-Limit” 7-Card Stud

After each player posts an ante, seven-card stud is played with two down cards and one up card dealt before the first limit betting round, followed by three more up cards (with a limit betting round after each card). After the last down card is dealt, (the seventh card) there is a final round of betting. This last betting round (where the last card given to each player is called the river card) is not a limit bet but is an optional no-limit bet. This means a player can bet as much money as he/she has in front of them. The best five-card poker hand out of the players seven cards wins the pot. In all fixed-limit games, the smaller bet is wagered on the first two betting rounds, and the larger fixed bet is wagered after the betting rounds on the fifth, and sixth cards. If there is an open pair on the fourth card, any player has the option of increasing the smaller limit bet to the larger limit bet.

Seven card stud is often played High-Low Split, 8-or-better. This means any five cards ranging from an ace through eight qualifies as a low hand and can win a portion of the pot. If there is no low hand the high poker hand wins the total pot. You may use any combination of the three hole cards and four up cards cards for your high hand and another (or the same) combination of three hole cards and four up cards cards for your low hand. As in regular seven card stud, the limit betting structure is the same but with the last betting round (after the river card) allows for a no-limit bet.

Seven card stud is often played for low only. This is called RAZZ. The lowest poker hand wins. As in regular seven card stud, the limit betting structure is the same with the last betting round (the river card) allowing for a no-limit bet. All limit betting rounds in all forms of seven card stud allows for three raises.

“River No-Limit” 5-Card Stud

After each player posts an ante, five-card stud is played with one down card and one up card dealt before the first limit betting round, followed by three more up cards (with a limit betting round after each card). After the last up card is dealt, (the fifth or river card) there is a final round of betting. This last betting round is not a limit bet but can be a no-limit bet. This means a player can bet as much money as he/she has in front of him. The best five-card poker hand wins the pot. As in most all fixed-limit games, the smaller bet is wagered on the first two betting rounds, and the larger fixed bet is wagered after the betting rounds on the third and fourth cards. If there is an open pair on the fourth card, any player has the option of increasing the smaller limit bet to the larger limit bet. However, the last bet (after the river card) can always be a no-limit bet. There can be three raises during any limit betting round.

“River No-Limit” Omaha

Omaha is similar to Hold'em, except each player is dealt four down cards instead of two. Action starts after one or two blinds are posted by the players at the left of the dealer button. There is a fixed limit round of betting after these cards have been delivered. Three board cards are then turned face-up (which is called “the flop”) and another round of fixed limit betting takes place. Another card is turned face up call the turn card, followed by a fixed limit round of betting. A final board card is then turned up called the river card at which time this final bet is not a fixed limit bet but an optional no-limit bet. Meaning a player may bet up to as much money as he/she has in front of them. These five board cards are “community cards” and after the final round of betting has been completed, a player must use a combination of two cards in his hand and three cards from the board to determine his/her best poker hand. During any limit betting round there can be a maximum of three raises.

Omaha is often played High-Low Split, 8-or-better. This means any five cards ranging from an ace through eight qualifies as a low hand and can win a portion of the pot. If there is no low hand the high hand wins the total pot. You must use any combination of two hole cards and three board cards for your high poker hand and another (or the same) combination of two hole cards and three board cards for your low hand. As in regular Omaha, the limit betting structure is the same with the last betting round (after the last or river card) allowing for a no-limit bet. There can be three raises during any limit betting round.

“River No-Limit” Mexican Poker

Mexican Poker is similar to 5-card stud and is played with a standard deck “reduced” to 41 cards. The 8's, 9's and 10's are removed, the Joker remains. If the Joker is dealt face down it is a total wild card. If the Joker is dealt face up it can only be used for Aces, straights, and flushes. In Mexican Poker, a flush beats a full house. Also, you cannot have a straight without a five or seven being involved.

To receive a hand, each player posts a collection when required. The cards are dealt clockwise, beginning to the left of the dealer button. The dealer button rotates clockwise after each hand is complete.

Each player receives a total of 5 cards, of which one card must be face down. After the first two cards are dealt (1 up and 1 down), a fixed limit betting round begins with the high card clockwise of the dealer button making a forced opening limit bet to start the action. After the betting is complete, the players may expose, if they wish, their down card. This action must be completed prior to the deal of the third card, which may be delivered up or down depending on whether or not previously dealt down cards have been opened. When the third card has been delivered, a fixed limit bet takes place. Three raises are allowed during any limit betting round.

The fourth and fifth cards are then dealt and played according to the same format except that the final bet, after the last or river card is dealt, is an optional no-limit bet. This means a player may wager up to as much money as he/she has in front of them. The player with the highest ranking poker hand wins the pot.

“River No-Limit” Lowball

In Lowball, the “worst” Poker hand wins. Straights and flushes do not count against the player. The best Lowball hand, therefore, is A-2-3-4-5 and 2-3-4-6-7 is better than a 2-3-5-6-7. Lowball is played with a 53 card deck. The Joker must be used as the lowest card not already present in the player's hand. The fixed limit betting rounds are the same as for draw poker except the last bet can be a no-limit bet, meaning that players may bet up to all the money he/she has in front of them.

“River No-Limit” Crazy Pineapple

Crazy Pineapple is a poker game where each player receives three cards as his initial hand. There is a fixed limited round of betting. Three cards are then turned simultaneously up (which is called “the flop”) and are community cards available to all players. Another round of fixed limit betting takes place. Each remaining player chooses to keep two of three cards from his initial hand and discards the third. The next two board cards are turned one at a time with a round of betting after each one except the last round of betting, after the last or river card is turned over, can be a no-limit bet, meaning players may bet up to all the money they have in front of them. After the final round of betting has been completed, a player may use any combination of five cards (one in his hand, four from the board, etc.) to determine his/her best poker hand. A player may use all of the cards on the board for a poker hand, this is called “playing the board”.

“River No-Limit” Draw Poker

Draw Poker is the basic form of Poker from which all other Poker games are derived. The main objective of Draw Poker is that the player builds a hand from 5 cards. Each player receives five cards on the first deal and has an opportunity to place a limit bet. The usual minimum betting hand is a pair of jacks or better. Each player can then discard up to five cards and receive a like number from the deck. There is one final round of betting after each player stays pat or receives cards from the deck (river cards) which can be a no-limit bet, meaning players can bet up to all the money they have in front of them. The highest poker hand wins the pot.

“River No-Limit” Poker Tournament

The no-limit bet on the river card, (or last betting round), is applicable to any limit betting poker tournament contest using any of the above poker games.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

1. A method of betting in poker or like games for a method of betting in poker or like games incorporating limit and no-limit betting methods comprising: means for limiting the amount of money a player can bet; means for limiting the amount of money a player can bet, rigidly connected to said means for limiting the amount of money a player can bet; means for limiting the amount of money a player can bet, rigidly connected to said means for limiting the amount of money a player can bet; means for allowing the next bet to be a no-limit bet; and means for allowing a player to bet as much money as he/she has on the poker table, rigidly connected to said means for allowing the next bet to be a no-limit bet, and rigidly connected to said means for limiting the amount of money a player can bet.
 2. The method of betting in poker or like games in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for limiting the amount of money a player can bet. comprises a Limit betting event
 2. 3. The method of betting in poker or like games in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for limiting the amount of money a player can bet. comprises a Limit betting event
 4. 4. The method of betting in poker or like games in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for limiting the amount of money a player can bet. comprises a Limit betting event
 6. 5. The method of betting in poker or like games in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for allowing the next bet to be a no-limit bet comprises a Last card or river card event
 7. 6. The method of betting in poker or like games in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for allowing a player to bet as much money as he/she has on the poker table. comprises a No-Limit bet event
 8. 7. A method of betting in poker or like games for a method of betting in poker or like games incorporating limit and no-limit betting methods comprising: a Limit betting event 2, for limiting the amount of money a player can bet; a Limit betting event 4, for limiting the amount of money a player can bet, rigidly connected to said Event 2; a Limit betting event 6, for limiting the amount of money a player can bet, rigidly connected to said Event 4; a Last card or river card event 7, for allowing the next bet to be a no-limit bet; and a No-Limit bet event 8, for allowing a player to bet as much money as he/she has on the poker table, rigidly connected to said Event 7, and rigidly connected to said Event
 6. 8. A method of betting in poker or like games for a method of betting in poker or like games incorporating limit and no-limit betting methods comprising: a Limit betting event 2, for limiting the amount of money a player can bet; a Limit betting event 4, for limiting the amount of money a player can bet, rigidly connected to said Event 2; a Limit betting event 6, for limiting the amount of money a player can bet, rigidly connected to said Event 4; a Last card or river card event 7, for allowing the next bet to be a no-limit bet; and a No-Limit bet event 8, for allowing a player to bet as much money as he/she has on the poker table, rigidly connected to said Event 7, and rigidly connected to said Event
 6. 